Automatic stabilizing device.



A. J. MACY.

AUTOMATIC STABILIZING DEVICE. APPLICATION 311:0 11mm. 1913.

Patented Oct. 31,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. L MACI. AUTQMAHC STABlUZING DEVICE.

APPUCATION man 5mm. 1913.

Patented m. 31; 1916.

4 SHnnTS-SHEET 2 mwwm.

I Em- E1E\ ffedLf/ya/cy A. J. MACY.

AUTOMATIC STABILIZING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED IAN-27.1913- 1 0,219. Patented Oct. 31,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

A. MACY. AUTOMATIC STABlLIZI NG DEVRCE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27. 1913.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

4 SHEETS- SHEET 4- ALFRED J. MACY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC STABILIZING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, on a.

Application filed January 27, 1918. Serial No. 744,557.

'ing equilibrium'of self-propelled devices such, for example, asaeroplanes or flying machines of any type, or even submarine vessels andtorpedo boats.

The invention (for convenience of illustration) is shown embodied andinstalled upon a. bi-plane although it will be evident that it isapplicable to many other devices and uses.

The operation of all flying machines has, of course, up to the presenttime, been accompanied with numerous dangers, both to the structure andthe operator, to which other than air supported vehicles are notsubjected. The loss of life in the last few years has been enormousamong the operators and users of aeroplane devices in proportion to thenumber of men so employed. Accidents are frequent-and numerous andalmost invariably result in fatalities. These accidents are occasionedin various ways. Sometimes, it is true, by structural failure or therecklessness or inexperience of the OPQI'HEUI', but more frequently theyare occasioncd by causes beyond the operators control. Sometimesmomentary faintncss of the operator cai'isos him to lose control of themachine with fatal results; soinetin'ies fatigue, due to the excessivenervous and muscular strain necessary to maintain the stability andci'piilibrium of the machine causcs a moments lapse. or release, withfatal results. in numerous instances, the operator when in air, finds itnecessary to effect some adjustment of the engine or some part of themachine, but is unable to do so because unable to vary his position, orto release the controlling lovers to permit him so to do, and in suchcases, the operator is indeed fortunate who has within the rangestabilit T and maintain-.

of volplaning flight, a landing place to which he may descend withoutdestruction.

The object of this invention is to afford a device adapted to be set bythe operator to determine and control the angle of inclination whenascending, or when volplaning in descent, and which, when once set, willact to positively hold and retain the angle of inclination determinedupon by the operator until readjustment is effected by the operator.

It is an object of the invention also to afford a construction wherebythe device may be set to afford a lateral adjustment either in wingwarping or in adjusting the ailerons or the tail for machine on suchadjustment maintaining the desired inclination and lateral adjustmentdue to the automatic action of the stabilizing device.

It is a further object of the invention to afford operative meanswhereby the stabilizing mechanism' may at the will of the operator, bereleased from control to per- Init the operator to control the machinemanually as he sees fit, said stabilizing device, l'iowevcr, immediatelycominginto action again upon theopcrator releasing the controllinglevers.

It is a further object of the invention to afford a construction wherebylateral stability is positively and autoimitically assured at all times,without the assistance of the operator by affording means for suitablywarping the wings, operating the ailerons or other mechanisms formaintaining lateral stability without the aid of the operator, and whichmay be immediately thrown out of action by the operator when desired, tovary the flight.

it is an object of the invention to afford a construction adaptcdfor usein maintaining' anton'iatic and longitudinal stability automatimilly onany device or vehicle in which longitudinal and lateral stability isdesirable.

The invention is illustrated (in apre ferred form) in the drawings andis hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure lis a side elevation ofa bi-plane equipped withmechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof,with parts omitted. Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary central sectionbroken away, on line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

spiral flight, the

' removed.

4 is a section on line of Fig. 3. 5 is an enlarged central verticalsecof a device embodying my invention. Fig. 6 is a section taken on iine66'of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation thereof with theequilibrium member Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof, with theequilib 'ating or stabilizing member omitted. Fig. 9 is an enlargedsection on line 9-4) of Fig. l. Fig. 10 is an enlarged section on line10-1O of Fig. c. Fig. 11 is an enlarged section on line l111 of Fig. 41.Fig. 12 is an enlarged section on line 1212 of Fig. 3, illustrating theshifting levers for the stabilizing element. Fig. 13 is a section online 13-13 of Fig.

e 111g. tion 12. Fig. 14: is a diagrammatic view of a wiring planembodying my invention.

As shown inthe drawings, the bi-plane indicated as a whole by 1, (whichis only intended for conventional illustration, as obviously theinvention may be used successfully on any type of heavier than airmachine) is of the Vright type, equipped with an engine 2, driving theusual propeller or propellers 3. The OPGZ'htOIfSSGht 4, is located asusual for the particular type of machine used, and in convenient accessthereto are the usual operating and controlling levers, which, in theparticular embodiment of the structure illustrated in the drawings, willbe hereinafter more fully described.

Mounted upon any convenient (but preferably centrally disposed) part ofthe machine frame, for example, the horizontal frame bar 5, is thestabilizing device. As shown, a supporting plate or f mile 6, is securedon said bar and provided with a downwardly directed bracket or flange 7,at one side thereof. Rigidly secured on said plate or frame 6, andextending downwardly therefrom is a shaft 8, the lower extremity ofwhich is rounded to afford a spherical head conveniently of somewhatlarger diameter than that of the shaft.

Supported and swivcled thereon by means of a socket member 10, is thecover plate 11, as shown circular in shape, and provided with flanges12, turned downwardly and inwardly to receive therein the outwardlyturned flanges or bead 13, of the cup 14, which is constructed of anysuitable nonconducting material such as glass or hard rubber, and isprovided in its bottom with an electrical conductor 15, which extendsupwardly thereinto, and is provided on the forward part thereof and atthe rear, with similar comluctors extending through the walls of the cupat about half the height of the cup, as indicated by 1.6. Arrangedninety degrees of the forward and aft contacts 16, and on each side ofsaid cup and at the same height as said forward and aft conductors, arecontact members which pro ject into the cup, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.The cup is filled with mercury to near the contact members. 16 and 17,and is filled above the mercury with a lighter liquid, for instance, oilor glycerin, as showrr 7a in Fig. the arrangement being such that theforward and aft and lateral contacts are normally immersed in thenon-conducting fluid while the bottom contact member at all times'is inelectrical contact with the conducting fluid, so that when the cup isinclined in any direction an electrical circuit is established betweenthe bottom contact member 15, and one of the forward or aft contacts 16,or one of the lateral contacts 17, or with one each of the contacts 16and 17 Journaled in the bracket 7, is a shaft 18, which projects towardthe pivot shaft 8, and rigidly secured on the outer end of which is asprocket wheel or sheave 19. A. yoke 20, is rigidly secured on the innerend of said shaft and the arms thereof somewhat Widely diverge andproject one on each side of the 'central fillet shaft and are providedwith rounded hearings or wheels 21, which bear upon the cover plate 11,of the stabilizing member, as shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8. A

similar bracket 22, is provided on one side of the plate or frame 6, andextending therethrough at a right angle with the shaft 18, beforedescribed, is a corresponding shaft provided on its outer end with asprocket wheel or sheave 23, and at its inner end having a yoke 2i,rigidly secured thereon, as before described, and provided with roundedbodies or wheels 25, secured thereon, as

shown in Fig. 8, which bear on the top of the cover 11, of thestabilizing member. Said shafts being directed at a right angle witheach other, therounded bearing members 21, which engage on the cover onopposite sides of the pivot bearing act to lock or incline thestabilizing member when the shaft 18, is slightly rotated by means ofits sheave or sprocket wheel, the direction of inclination being toeither side, dependent upon the direction of rotation of said shaft, anda suitable sheave 26, is rotatably secured on a shaft 27, secured on theunder side of the frame plate to change the direction of the sheave line28, to enable the operator seated in advance of the stabilizing element,to incline the same toward either side, dependent upon the direction ofdraft upon the line. In a similar manner a cable or sprocket chain 29,is trained about the sprocket wheels or sheave 23, on the other of saidshafts to enable the operator who sits in advance thereof to incline thecup either forward or aft horizontally by the rotation of said shaft andthe action of the round bodies or wheels .25, on the top of thestabilizing device. Said cables 28 and 29, lead forwardly in theconstruction shown.

and mounted upon a horizontal front frame bar 30, are depending b'ackets 81, in the lower ends of which is journaled a shaft An integralsegment 38, and 34, respectively, is provided at the under side of eachof the brackets 31, and is directed downwardly.

liotatably mounted on the ends of the-shaft 32, at the outer side of thecorresponding brackets and at the extremities of the shaft are levers2:35 and 36, adapted to swing on said shaft, and rigidly secured to eachof which to move therewith, is a sheave 37 and 38, about which res'iectively the cables 28 and 29, or the sprocket chains (should such beused) are tightly drawn. A spring controlled detent 39, provided with asuitable grip release 40, at the handle of the lever, is provided oneach of said levers to enable the operator by gripping the handle, toswing the lever on the shaft and adjusting the same relatively thedetent and partly rotating the sheave 37 and 3S, and, of course,

the corresponding sheaves of the stabilizer device thereby, butpermitting quick release for adjustment, when required, to. any otherdesired position.

Mounted in advance of the operators seat is a horizontal shaft 41,rotatably mounted upon "which at one side of the operato for example,the left side, is a lever 42, and a lever 43, each provided at its lowerend with a transverse sleeve 4% and 45, respectively through which theshaft extends, aud,each having thereon a sprocket or sheave l6 and 47respectively. As shown, a worm gear segment 48, is provided on thesleeve 44, of the lever 42, and meshing therewith is a horizontal worm49, which is mounted. upon the shaft 50, of an electric motor 51, saidmotor 51, being connected through a reversing box 52, with lead wires53, which connect with the contacts 17, at each side of the stabilizingdevice. An accumulator, storage battery or any other source of current54, is com'iectcd in the circuit with the reversing box 52, with themotor, through the reversing box 52. and with the bottom contact 15, ofthe stabilizing device, as shown in Fig. H, by means of a lead wire 55.

(ables are led about the sheave 46, and thence about a fixed sheave 56,suitably mounted upon the frame, and thence lead to the, extremities ofthe planes where the sam: are secured to permit warping of therespective planes, or operation of the ailerons should such be used whenthe motor is brought in circuit by the inclination of the mach nelaterally. in either direction. The circuit being closed by the mercuryimmersing one of the laterally disposed contact mcmbers 17, the plane isnow dependent, of course, upon the direction of inclination of themachine, the circuit when closed with one of said lateral contactmembers 17, acting to drive the motor ahead, while contact effected bythe closing with the other contact member 17, acts to reverse the motor,the worm in either instance, of course, shifting the segmentproportionately and continuously until the warping has brought themachine back to the position for which the stabilizing device wasnormally set.

As shown, the motor 51, is mounted upon trunnions 57, one at each sidethereof, upon a suitable A frame 58, and secured on the projectsalongside the segment as shown in Fig. 9. A lifting finger 60, engagestherebeneath and is carried upon a rod 61, slidably engaged upon thelever l2, and provided with a grip 62, at the upper end thereof adaptedto be manually engaged sin'niltaneously with the engagement of thehandle of thelever, acting to hold the lever (53, normally depressed.This construction enables the operator to warp the wings manually bymerely gripping the hand grip 62,- engaging the lever, thus acting totilt the motor upwardly sufiicie-ntly to shift the worm out of gear withthe Worm segment, and enabling the operator to operate the levers asusual when said stabilizers are not employed. Of course, immediatelyupon releasing the lever, however, the motor drops back to normalposition, meshing the worm with the worm gear again and the stabilizingdevice acts to suitably adjust the planes in accordance with the settingof the stabilizer. At the right side of the operator is a correspornlingmotor 51, which drives a.. worm l9, which meshes with the worm segment4%, rigidly connected with a lever (34,. with which also is rigidlyconnected a sheave or sprocket wheel (35. The mounting of the lever, theengagement of the worm it), therewith, the tilting bar 55), liftingpinion (30, and all other parts thereof are identical with theconstruction heretofore described with reference to the lever 42, andthe accessories for operating and driving the same. The cable (56,trained around the sheave 65, leads to the elevating mechanism c; thatfor controlling the ascent and descent. As shown, the elevating motor51, is connected through a reversing box 52, such as before mentioned,with the lead wire 55, from the battery or any other source of currentand thence to the contact at the bottom of the stabilizing device, andalso connected with the forward and aft contacts 16 before de-y scribed.

The lever 13, mounted to swing on the' shaft or frame member 41, is thecontrolling lever for the rudder (37. As shown, a notched segment (38,is rigidly secured on the frame adjacent said lever 43, and a springcontrolled detent (3%), is provided to engage said detcnt to hold therudder in adjusted position. 1 v. p

The operation is as follows: When about side of the motor casing, is abar 59, which to start flight, the operator desiring to ascend adjuststhe stabilizing bowl by means of the cable 29, so that the bottomcontact 15, and the rear contact 16, are in circuit. This starts themotor which drives the worm in the proper direction to adjust the elevators to a suitable angle, for the desired upward inclination of themachine. If the machine is now started, the motor will be driven so longas the circuit remains closed, and will cease to operate when the-desired angle of inclination is attained, and will begin to operateagain immediately when the 'ilizer.

inclination falls below the desired angle. Thus the machine ismaintained in stability at an angle longitudinally predetermined. by theoperator. While so in flight, should the machine incline laterally ineither direction, one of the lateral contacts 17, is brought intocircuit with the bottom contact of the other motor said motor drivingits worm characteristically to warp the wings to return the machine toan even keel or to the adjustment of lateral inclination, for example,in spiral flight for which the stabilizing device may have beenpreviously set. Should emergency for inclination require, the operatormay at any time actuate the stabilizer by merely operating the machineas usual by means of the hand levers. WVhen so operating the machine,the hand grips actuated serve to elevate the tilting bars 59, bringingthe respec-- tive worm out of mesh with the worm gear, and thus enablingthe operator to operate the machine independently as before described.Immediately upon releasing the le- 1 vers, however, the worms drop backinto place and will be operated characteristically, dependent upon thecircuit closed to bring the machine to the position required by thestab- The operator may instantly adjust the stabilizer to permit theangle of longitudinal inclination or of lateral inclination, or both, tobe varied, as the requirements of the flight may necessitate or suggest,or the inclination of the operator may dictate. This is accomplished bymeans of the levers 35 and 36, the one of which acts tocharacteristically adjust the stabilizing device upon its swiveledsupport, the one for longitudinal variation, the other for lateralvariation.

Of course, it is to be understood that while I have described theinvention with reference to an aeroplane or a heavier than air flyingmachine, the device is particularly appropriate and applicable to asubmarine vessel or torpedo boat, and may even be utilized. to assist inpreventing lateral and longitudinal rolling and plunging of a vessel atsea. Of course, when so installed, the particular mechanism operated bythe stab,- ilizing device will vary in accordance with the character ofthe installation, that is to say, the invention, when installed on aflying machine, is connected to operate the wings or the elevators ortail, while upon marine installations, for example, submarine vessels,the mechanism would vary, and lateral and longitudinal stabilizingpropellers or rudders would be controlled thereby. I have not, however,deemed it necessary to illustrate all the manifold and various purposesto which my invention may be applied, inasmuch as its utility for suchvarious purposes will be readily understood. I have thereforeillustrated but a preferred form of the embodiment of my invention, andI do not purpose limiting the patent granted on this application,otherwise than necessitated by the prio art.

I clai as my invention:

1. A stabilizing device for-vehicles intended to move normally otherthan on the ground, and embracing a movable body adapted to remain in afixed position relative the earths surface, electrical contacts calcircuits through said body dependent.

upon the direction of inclination of the vehicle, tiltably mountedmotors operated'by said circuits adapted to be tilted out of normaldriving position, and mechanisms actuated by said motors when in normaldriving position for counteracting the inclination of the vehicle toreturn the vehicle to normal.

2. A device of the class described, embracing a container supported on avehicle, a conducting medium therein maintaining a normal level,electrical contacts extending into the container one at the bottomthereof at all times in contact with the medium, others arranged forwardand aft and on each side of'the container and normally above the surfaceof the conducting medium therein, mechanisms controlling longitudinalinclination and lateral inclination of the vehicle, motor driven wormshafts for actuating the same for such control, electrical connectionsbetween the various contacts on the container and the source of powerfor actuating said controlling means, means adapted for manual operationfor disconnecting the worm shafts from said controlling mechanisms andmeans adjusting the container for a desired angle of longitudinal orlateral inclination of the vehicle.

3. A device of the class described, embracing a gravity controlledelement, an element moving in conformity with the vehicle and carryingelectrical contacts, mechanisms for counteracting longitudinal andlateral inclinations of the vehicle, operative connections between saidmechanisms and said controlling elements whereby inclination of thevehicle in any direction is counteracted b said mechanisms, and aplurality of tiltable motors normally in driving position form- .ing apart 0t said operative connections and adapted to be set in operation bysaid elements to positively drive said mechanisms, said motors whentilted out ol normal position being disconnected. from said meclnvnisins.

4. A stabilizing device for aeroplanes enr bracing a movable bodyadapted to maintain a fixed position relative the earth,electrical'contacts arranged about the same and one thereof at all timesconnected therewith, said body acting to establish electrical, circuitsthrough said electrical contacts dependent upon the direction ofinclination ot the aeroplane, and oscillatably mounted motors capable ofbeing swung into position out of use, but normally positioned to be setin operation when said electrical contacts are closed. to positivelydrive the guiding means on. said aeroplane.

ing a container, a conducting medium therein maintaining a normal level,electrical contacts extending into the container, one at the bottomthereof at all times in contact with the medium, others arranged forwardand aft and on eachside of the container and normally above the surfaceol. the conducting medium therein, adapted to be electrically connectedto the one at the bottom through a id medium when said container istilted, and pivotally mounted motors adapted to be set in operation whensaid contacts are closed, the pivotal mounting of said motors permittingthe same to be moved into a position out of use.

(i. A stabilizing device for aeroplanes embracing a body adapted tomaintain a fixed position relative the earths surface, electricalcontacts arranged about the same and one thereof at all times connectedtherewith, said body acting to close various electrical circuitsthroi'igh said electrical contacts dependent upon the direction ofinclination of the aeroplane, manually operated controlling means forthe aeroplane, and oscillatable driving means controlled by saidelectrical circuits for counteracting the inclination of the aeroplaneto return the same to normal, said driving means adapted to he swung outof operation automatically when the aeroplane is operated by saidmanually operated means.

7. A device of the class described embracing a container, a conductingmedium therein maintaining a. normal level, electrical contactsextending into the container, one at all timesin contact with themedium, others normally above the surface of the conduct ing mediumtherein, mechanisms controlling longitudinal and lateral inclination ofthe vehicle upon which the container is sup- 5. A device Olltllt? classdescribed embracported, manually operated devices for control of saidmechanisms, oscillatably mounted motors for actuating said devices tocontrol the aeroplane, and electrical connections between the variouscontacts on the container and said motors for actuating said controllingmechanisms, said motors adapted to be swung out of operationautomatically when said devices are manually operated.

8. The combination with an aeroplane and manually controlled operatingdevices therefor, of a stabilizing mechanism embracing a gravity controlelement, an element moving in conformity with the aeroplane, electricalcontacts thereon, and electric motor driven mechanisms operated by saidcontrolling elements for counteracting longitudinal and lateralinclinations of the aeroplane by actuation of said devices, saidmechanisms adapted to be automatically swung out of use'when theaeroplane is manually operated by means of said; devices.

9. The combination with an aeroplane of a stabilizing bowl, electricalcontacts there in adapted to be closed when said bowl is tilted,controlling means for said aeroplane, levers connected thereto formanual actuation thereof, and a plurality of oscillatably mountedmotorsaulapted to actuate said levers when certain of said contacts insaid stabilizing bowl are closed, said motors adapted to be swung out ofactuating relation with said levers when the same are manually operated.

10. In a device of the class described, a stabilizing bowl, a pluralityof electrical contacts therein, and a plurality of tiltable motorsadapted to be set in operation when said contacts within said bowl areclosed, said motors capable of being tilted into a po+ition out of use.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with anaeroplane, of stabilizing mechanism comprising a mercury bowl,electrical contacts therein, controlling levers for said aeroplaneadapted to be manually actuated, worm gear segments associatedtherewith, a plurality of worm shafts engaging thesame, and a pluralityof motors adapted to be set in operation when the contacts within saidmercury bowl are closed to drive said worm shafts and actuate saidlevers to guide the machine independently of manual actuation thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my' name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

. ALFRED J. MACY.

Witnesses LE Roi: D. Kinny, Gnoncn R Moons.

